China Defends Xi's US Visit, AI Dialogue Stance and UN Chief Election Role

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday characterised President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States as a success, saying the trip yielded a series of important understandings between the two leaders.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a daily briefing in Beijing that Xi travelled at the invitation of President Donald Trump from September 23 to 25. During the visit, the two leaders held in-depth discussions on major issues affecting bilateral ties as well as global peace and development.

Among the outcomes, Guo said, was agreement to jointly build a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability based on respect, fairness and reciprocity. The two sides also agreed to support each other in successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the G20 Leaders' Summit.

China, he added, is ready to work with the US to implement the consensus reached by the two presidents and to promote stable, sound and sustainable development of the relationship.

Asked about a new bilateral mechanism on artificial intelligence agreed at the summit, which includes channels for handling AI-related incidents, Guo said China has consistently taken a constructive and responsible approach to global AI governance.

Beijing has advocated the central role of the United Nations and the building of a fair and reasonable global governance system for AI, he said. It remains willing to maintain communication and exchange with the US through intergovernmental dialogue and other channels, describing such engagement as both a path to positive and inclusive global AI development and part of the wider effort to build a stable bilateral relationship.

On a media report that Trump asked Xi during their meeting whether China would purchase US weapons, Guo did not confirm the account. He said China has always strengthened its national defence capabilities according to its own needs and remains committed to maintaining world peace and stability.

Guo was also asked whether China is weighing support for either UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, a former vice-president of Costa Rica, or Guyana's Permanent Representative to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, in the election for the next UN Secretary-General.

He did not indicate a preference. The election concerns UN reform and development as well as the vital interests of member states, he said, adding that China supports choosing a new secretary-general in line with the UN Charter who observes the Charter, has outstanding capabilities, is fair and upright and is committed to fulfilling the duties of the office. China will take part in the process responsibly alongside all relevant parties, he said.